There are two lanes, each measured with it’s own timing device, to record elapsed time (ET) as well as mile per hour. The start of the race is set to a 40 second countdown, of which the last 10 seconds are counted down on a visible clock. The boats leave their positions on the holding rope and travel 125 feet to the start line. The object of the start is to cross the line as close to, but not before the clock reaches zero. The competitor to cross the finish line first is claimed the winner, unless he had reached the start line before zero, then he would be considered disqualified.

At a typical race event, each competitor is given the opportunity to qualify a minimum of two times in their perspective class on Friday & Saturday. A qualifying pass is a timed run down the course. The top qualifiers are then assigned an opponent within their class for Sunday’s eliminations. The winner of each elimination run moves to the next round and when only one competitor remains he is claimed the winner.